Thinks JT’s discovery of a glycerine respirator is an interesting practical discovery. CD has been wondering about the hairs in our nostrils, but doubts that JT has explained their function, since there are hardly enough.

Will ask W. Ogle to observe hairs in nostrils of different races.

Ogle will keep JT’s suggestion in mind in observing less hairy races of man and the lower animals.

Asks JT whether he can help Ogle on a troublesome point on the colour of tissues with olfactory nerves, and the relation of colour to the absorption of odours. Does JT’s respirator deprive odorous substances of their smell?

Ogle is unacquainted with JT; would be proud and pleased to call on him. CD likes what little he has seen of him.

Ogle wants very much to meet JT.

Thanks JT for his kindness to Ogle.

CD particularly wishes to see JT "On business not connected with himself" [the fund for Huxley’s holiday]. Asks whether CD may call that afternoon. GHD adds postscript saying CD very fatigued. He hopes JT can come to see CD instead, but he should not mention that GHD suggested it.

CD will write to William Spottiswoode about the fund for Huxley. CD is raising his subscription to £300. "We have done a good day’s work … [it] gives me a higher opinion of human nature than I had before, though I am not one of those who think lowly of mankind."

Sends JT the list and amounts subscribed for Huxley. It will probably amount to £1800. He will write to Huxley and use every argument he can to make him accept.

The Huxley fund amounts to £1955. CD trembles about THH’s answer.

Sends Huxley’s "charming letter". Asks whether it should be sent to Lady Millicent Jones. CD is "so happy about the whole affair".

Sends another copy [of Huxley’s letter of thanks for holiday fund].

It has just occurred to CD that he ought not to leave a copy of Huxley’s confidential letter in the hands of anyone. Asks JT to write to ask recipients to return the copies to CD at Down.

Hopes JT does not think him over-cautious in requesting the return of the copies [of Huxley’s letter]. Has sent Huxley a list of the subscribers.

Asks JT to support his nephew, Henry Parker, for election to the Athenaeum.

CD has not received the proofs [of JT’s Belfast address to BAAS].

Wishes JT were through with Belfast [meeting of BAAS, 1874]. CD cannot imagine surviving such a week of excitement.

Returns proofs [of JT’s Belfast address, Rep. BAAS 44 (1874): lxvi–xcvii]. Gratified by what it says about his work and is anxious to read the whole address; it is a grand subject.

Asks JT to persuade Lady Lubbock to change physicians and put herself in the care of Andrew Clark. Thinks this alone will save her.

An invitation to Down for Sunday 16 October.

Asks JT to send the tubes [of boiled infusions]. Frank Darwin will do his best. Asks for full instructions.

Sends congratulations and a teapot on the occasion of JT’s engagement.

Is pleased JT is not giving up on the spontaneous generation question. Feels strongly that subject will not be clear until it is understood how J. S. Burdon Sanderson and others succeeded in getting bacteria in infusions they had boiled for a long time.